Historic Billy Webb Elks Lodge Moves Closer to Reopening

The historic Billy Webb Elks Lodge, a cornerstone gathering place of Portland’s African American Albina neighborhood, has completed critical structural repairs following a devastating fire in 2021 that permanently shuttered the building. The Lodge now launches a capital campaign to complete Phase 2 restoration with the goal of reopening during its 100th anniversary year. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the 99-year-old building (6 N. Tillamook St.) has served the traditionally African American neighborhood of Albina as a Black YWCA, a USO center for black servicemen, and as a Black Elks Lodge at a time when national membership excluded African Americans. Before the fire, the Lodge was a hub for community services, events and cultural gatherings for people of all colors who have long and deep ties to the Albina community.

“The most urgent repairs are complete and we’re turning our focus to restoring the inside so we can welcome the community home again, said Lou McLemore, Exalted Ruler of the Billy Webb Elks Lodge. “This building is part of Portland’s soul.”

In Phase 1, Resolve Architecture + Planning and Andersen Construction collaborated closely with Lodge leadership to repair the heavily damaged structure and secure the building from further weather damage. This phase focused on completing the major exterior elements necessary to enclose the building. Key accomplishments included rebuilding the roof infrastructure, replacing the entire roof, rerouting essential systems, creating a new emergency egress, and preparing the structure for interior finish work. The construction was completed at the end of July. Funding for this work came from transformative grants provided by Meyer Memorial Trust and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, along with insurance proceeds and generous community contributions. Several critical partners also played a vital role in this effort, including Restore Oregon, the Kinsman Foundation (in support of Oregon’s Most Endangered Places), Shiels Obletz Johnsen (Kim Knox), Davis Wright Tremaine (Marcus Eyth), Debora Leopold Hutchins, James Posey (President of the NAACP), Constructing Hope, the City of Portland, Westminster Presbyterian Church (Rev. Beth Merrill Neel), Moreland Resource Consulting, and Works Real Estate.

The Billy Webb Elks Lodge is now focused on securing additional funding for Phase 2 of its restoration project, which is essential for fully reopening the historic building to the public. This final phase will concentrate on restoring the interior spaces, beginning with the iconic ballroom, upgrading the electrical and HVAC systems, completing the commercial kitchen, finishing exterior details, and revitalizing the surrounding landscaping. While Prosper Portland and the Kinsman Foundation have already pledged initial support, the Lodge must raise an additional $1 million to complete the work and reopen its doors. “We are working extremely hard to get the Lodge reopened during its 100th Anniversary year. In order to get back in service to the community, we are now raising approximately $1,000,000,” said McLemore.

In 2020, Restore Oregon, a non-profit that works to save historic places in Oregon, listed the Billy Webb Elks Lodge as one of Oregon’s Most Endangered Places. Since then Restore Oregon has served as a vital partner to help secure the lodge from further disrepair and create a plan for the lodge’s future, including intensive technical assistance and preservation consultation in addition to capital fundraising support for the restoration project. “Our volunteer capacity needed support and the resources provided by Restore Oregon, before and especially now since the fire, have been invaluable,” said Deborah Roache’ Daughter Ruler of the Billy Webb Elks Lodge.

Get involved is by supporting the Phase 2 campaign through a GoFundMe donation or by becoming a Lodge member.